BARCELONA TO PLAY IN THE COLOUR OF CATALONIA FLAG AS AUTONOMOUS REGION SEEK INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN

La Liga giant Barcelona are to wear the colours of the Senyera, the Catalan flag, on their away kit next season.

It comes as political parties in favour of Catalonia becoming an independent state gain an ever greater influence in the region's parliament as they push for a referendum in 2014.


The gold and red striped strip for the 2013-2014 season is already reportedly in mass production and will be popularly received by many supporters while, the new home shirt will be the traditional blue and red stripes.

The news that Barcelona, who are nine points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga after beating them 4-1 on Sunday, would wear the colours was announced on La Diada, the Catalan national day on September 11.

And now kit manufacturers have unveiled the first designs, which have been warmly received by players, fans and politicians as Barcelona has always been a powerful symbol of the region's identity. 

Following a snap election last month, Catalan President Artur Mas promised that the people would be consulted on independence within the next four years.

His centre-right CiU party lost seats but remain the largest bloc in the parliament, while the left-wing separatist ERC party won 21 seats.

Both are in favour of independence, but there are doubts whether the two can work together. 

Source: DAILYMAIL